Vol. 469 No. 2
18 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the action, if any, he proposes to take to avert the threatened work to contract by hospital consultants; the disruption which will result from this form of industrial action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16935/96]
Limerick East): As I understand it the threat to “work to contract” by consultants is intended as a protest at the delay in publishing the report of the review body on higher remuneration in the public sector on consultants' pay and conditions. I met both the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association on Tuesday of this week. I explained to them that the Government had not yet had an opportunity to consider the full implications of the report but that I expected the Minister for Finance would be making a submission to Government on the report shortly. I draw the Deputy's attention to the answer given in the House yesterday by the Minister for Finance that he expects publication to take place within two months or so.
Against that background I am requesting both organisations not to take any action which would have an adverse impact on services to patients. I would like to repeat that request today in the House.
